111 - Luthan's Tale

Ursula arrives back at Foti Lane and is reunited with Tyra's family. Later she attends a meeting of those in charge and learns disturbing news.

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

111 - Luthan's Tale

Disclaimer: The original characters and plot of this story are the property of the author. No infringement of pre-existing copyright is intended. This story is copyright (c) 2026 Penny Lane. All rights reserved.

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Ursula was surprised at Luthan's news but then considered.

A lot has happened while we've been away. I wondered if Mathenar would overstep his manners but Luthan..?

"My Lord, what happens to you and your brother now? How does this affect your status?"

"Mistress," Luthan replied tiredly, "I would leave the tale for a later time, if I may. When I have recovered somewhat, at least. Her Highness ought to hear it, as well, and she will doubtless be tired after this pull." A weak smile. "Briefly, we are still Counts but there is now no possibility of becoming more."

Ursula nodded. "As you wish, My Lord. I am a healer, I should have realized that you are suffering deep fatigue from what you have done this morning. Take all the time you need."

"As you wish, Mistress."

The rest of the short trip was taken in silence. As before, the wagon was reversed into Foti Lane and halted just before the netting. Everyone was helped out, all heading to the stairs this time, Kaldar being carried across since his legs were so much shorter. The chests were covered in tarpaulins and taken up by some of the reception committee.

At the top, on the covered balcony, Ursula was greeted by Toshi and Hulo. The Kittrin, attired in his green Marine uniform, bowed in the Japanese fashion.

"Welcome finally, Director. If I may inform you that you have been billeted with Hulo and his family, since Tyra informed me that you are known to her folk. You will have time to settle in before lunch is ready, I deem, and afterwards I wonder if you would be available for a camp briefing."

"Yes, of course, Toshi. I take it that you have been running this... camp..? in the absence of Her Highness and myself?"

"Aye, Mistress, with the consent and assistance of Lord Luthan, of course. He has overall responsibility for Foti Lane as the residents are all folk of the city. All this will be explained at the briefing."

"As you say. What about Her Highness and her maids and companions?"

Toshi gestured along the balcony. "There were three vacant properties in the two blocks and one has been reserved for Her Highness and her retinue." He turned as Eriana slowly climbed the last few steps, assisted by Bennet. "Ah, Your Highness, welcome. If you would follow me, there is a dwelling reserved for you."

Eriana looked shattered. "I care not what or where it is, Toshi, I must needs rest as soon as I may. Gods! That was not like rowing at all! But surely you have not evicted people from a property just for me?"

"As I just mentioned to Director Ursula, there were already some empty dwellings along here, mostly as a result of the invasion. No-one has lost a home because you are here, Highness. Please, if you and your people would follow me."

"As you wish, Toshi. Bennet, Matta, Vellana, come."

The small crowd at the head of the stairs stood back and watched the women pass by to follow Toshi. Hulo turned to Ursula and Tyra.

"Mistress, if you would come with me. Tyra will find your chests and bring them."

"Yes, okay, but..." Ursula indicated Ketko and Kaldar. "These two will need some special consideration. Has Toshi said anything about them?"

Hulo turned and inspected the two. "He did not, Mistress. The boy... I do not remember there being a boy when you were in Joth before."

"You would not. Like many of those now in the crew these two were picked up further along our voyage, most fleeing some kind of trouble. Kaldar was running away from an abusive father in Ferenis when he jumped onto the Visund. Her Highness was forced to adopt him to prevent him being returned."

The fisherman's eyes widened. "Do you tell me? The men have entertained us - if that is the word - with some of your adventures upriver, Mistress, but I do not recall anybody speaking of a young lad. Still, for now he may come with us. And the man with the unusual colored skin?"

"An adventurer from a very distant land who is finding it difficult to understand the folk of the Great Valley and how they live. Since I also come from a long way away, I have volunteered to help him adjust to life along the Sirrel. His name is Ketko."

Hulo nodded. "Then, for now he may join us, Mistress. If I may ask Tyra to discover all your chests and have them brought to our dwelling."

"Of course, Hulo. Oh, one moment, please. Karan?"

"Yes, Director?"

"I assume you already have lodgings along here?"

"Actually on the other side, Director, but yes. Do you desire my presence for something?"

"No, we do need to talk but that can wait until later. Do the folk here know you were a Yodan?"

"Yes, Director. It was tense at first but when they discovered that I was a healer and why I was with you everything changed. I have been some small help to those who live here while you were away."

"Oh, that's good. After the trouble they had during the invasion I did not know what their attitude might be. Carry on, we'll speak later."

"Director." Karan turned and went to one of the temporary walkways that joined the two blocks.

Ursula turned. "Lead on, Hulo."

At the door to Hulo's dwelling the rest of his family was waiting. Raysa made a brief curtsey as Ursula approached while Tyra's siblings just stood silently beside their mother.

"Good afternoon, Mistress Ursula," she said. "Welcome once more to our humble home. If I may ask, how is Numo? Naturally we are all anxious about his injuries."

"Good afternoon, Raysa," Ursula replied. "Numo is resting well at the Clinic after being attended by myself, Healer Hanida and Healer Karan. His arm was broken in two places and we have set that and put it in a cast. He had two broken ribs which I have made safe. It may be a week or two before he will be able to return here."

"Ah." A thoughtful nod. "That is good to hear. We of the Lane never like to hear of injuries which may prevent someone from resuming their livelihood. There are always too many mouths to feed. Well. If I may offer you the shelter of our home?"

"I would be honored to share your home, Raysa. I trust all your family are well?" Ursula cast a stern eye on Teen. "And your youngest? Is he behaving himself?"

The answer was a faint smile. "Mostly, Mistress. I'm sure that he will behave himself very carefully while you yet reside with us."

Teen suddenly switched his gaze from Ursula to his mother, his expression changing to one of horror.

"Yes, you," his mother told him. "You shall mind your manners when we have honored guests, shall you not?"

Looking pained, the four-year-old could only nod before returning his gaze to Ursula.

She remembered the others. "Um, I am accompanied by two of our passengers who, for different reasons, could not be left with the rest of the crew. This is Kaldar, he has actually been adopted by Her Highness but because he needs medical treatment, and because Her Highness has herself been unwell, he has been traveling with me instead."

The two daughters fixed their attention on Kaldar, wondering about him and if he might become of interest one day.

Ursula continued, "And this is Ketko. He is a wanderer who we chanced upon along the river. Now where he comes from is so strange that it was thought necessary to offer him assistance and security until he begins to understand the lands of the Great Valley. He is with me because I also originally came from a different far land and, while I have adapted better, I appreciate the problems that he faces."

Raysa nodded. "Kaldar, Ketko, be welcome in our home. It is not large but the numbers were known and I'm sure that we will make room for you inside."

Hulo gestured at the open door. "Mistress, if you would enter."

Inside Ursula discovered that the almost-bare room she had visited before had been somewhat transformed. Rush matting now covered the entire floor, along with some woven wool runners. The area nearest the front door now consisted of four long seats arranged in a square, the seats and backs being upholstered with padded woven wool covers that matched the runners. There was a low table in the middle. The chairs that used to be there had been moved back to the center of the room and placed around a small dining table. What was beyond was indistinct because of the lower light levels.

"If you may all find somewhere to sit," Raysa suggested.

Ursula chose the front corner away from the door and made herself comfortable. Everyone else came in and filled the rest of the seating, Kaldar being one side of Ursula and Ketko the other.

"I would offer you all pel," Raysa stated, "but we are within half a bell of when we would normally take lunch."

The obvious implication is that she would prefer her visitors to wait but was too polite to ask outright.

"We'll wait," Ursula decided. "We had a drink not long before we traveled back here. Unless that is going to complicate your lunch arrangements even more."

"We should manage," Raysa assured her, "even though we have two more mouths to feed than I expected. Tyra did not tell me that the two by your side would be joining us."

Tyra protested, "I did not know, Ma! I mean, I knew where they were, and that they would come back when Her Highness did, but I did not know that they would attend my mistress instead of Her Highness."

Ursula broke in with a wave of her hand. "It is fine, Raysa, it really is. These two have special reasons for being with me and the mental processes of Her Highness have not yet fully recovered so I thought to bring them with me instead. If having them here is going to cause trouble, then I'm sure we can find some other arrangement."

"As you say, Mistress. If I may go off with Tally and Hursa to begin preparing lunch."

"Yes, of course."

"Mistress, you should know that we will all be eating at the front while you and your friends are here. As you can see, we have a table which we would normally use but there are too many now to fit around it."

Ursula nodded. "I understand. Thank you."

Mother and daughters excused themselves and went to the back of the dwelling to begin making lunch. Hulo, Hulan and Teen remained, the last two inspecting Kaldar and Ketko as possible friends or competitors. Ursula noticed this.

I had better make our positions clear or there could be problems. The local youngsters may see our people as threats or opportunities depending whether they are girls or boys.

"You should know," she said, "that both Ketko and Kaldar will be traveling on with the Visund when we eventually leave. Like the rest of the crew, both are going to Palarand and will probably settle there. I do not expect that anyone who arrived here on the ship will remain behind when we go."

Hulan asked, "Mistress, what is it about Palarand that everyone wants to go there?"

"Everyone is a broad description," she answered. "Some of the crew, like Her Highness and her Norse retainers, are returning to Palarand because that is where they started from. I understand they have given their oaths to Palarand's King." Hulan nodded understanding. "Some of the other crew are going there because that is where the new Federation Navy headquarters is going to be, between the river and the ocean. Others, like myself and Ketko, are going there because we are curious about all the stories of what is happening there. Have you been to the Mansion House to see the gifts that were brought just before we sailed away from Joth?"

It was Hulo who answered. "Mistress, there were many rumors in the city about what those of Palarand had brought with them. There was an afternoon when there was little to do at the dockside so most of us went to see why there was so much fuss. There were strange... devices... which looked hard for a smith to build, which did interesting and unexpected things.

"I do not know how most of those will be of use but even someone as untutored as myself could see how the engine of steam would change how the river is used. It was said that what we saw was just a small sample of the wonders now being made in Palarand, but I do not know how they could possibly make such things."

Hulan added, "Mistress, they said that those things needed many hands to make them and that there would be work for anyone who desire to travel there. I thought about what that might mean for Joth, if so many departed to find work elsewhere."

"Yes. There is a danger there that too many will leave and that will leave Joth short of people to provide food for those who are left behind." Ursula thought. "I would suggest to both of you, anyone in Joth really, that it will be better for you to wait and see how matters develop. I heard talk, when we were here before, that this city is going to expand beyond the walls and become even bigger. If the population rises, more people will be needed to feed and clothe them so there will be plenty of work for those who want to stay."

Hulo nodded. "Your words are wise, Mistress. We must needs attend our own craft and wait to see what the future demands of us."

The daughters began bringing the first plates of food for lunch and the conversation switched.

Hulan reached forward to the small table. "Rolls! Ma, I didn't know that you baked these this morning."

"You don't see anything except what is in front of your nose," she called from the back. "I am surprised that you ever catch any fish. I doubt you would come back with any if your Father wasn't there with you."

"Ma! I'm not that bad!"

Hulo butted in. "Hulan! If you would let our visitors choose first."

Hulan's arm came back as though on a spring. "Ah, sorry, Pa. I didn't think."

Hulo gestured to the plates as he said to Ursula, "Mistress? If you would choose from the table."

Ursula took a roll, followed in order by Ketko and Kaldar. Hulan began to reach forward again then thought better of it. "Pa, does Tyra count as a visitor now?"

"She does, son, since she no longer resides with us but is just visiting with her mistress. By your leave, Mistress, it is Tyra's turn."

Raysa arrived with a tray full of mugs of pel and the girls followed, all collecting their own lunches. Ursula bit into her own roll to receive a surprise. The filling was air-dried fish, some salad greens different to those she had eaten before and a gently spiced dressing.

"This is interesting. Not like the one I was given down at the docks that day."

Hulo replied, "As you say, Mistress. The rolls we eat at the docks are always fish caught fresh that morning and grilled right away but obviously it is difficult to do that during the Rains. During the spring and summer a certain amount of our daily catch is taken away and preserved one way or another and it is from those that we eat today."

She nodded. "Of course. I like the dressing or sauce you have put with these, it is just right."

"Aye, Mistress, but it is not entirely a design of Joth. Your cook Adin had some suggestions to make concerning flavorings and we decided to experiment with some of them. I regret that our stocks of spices are not likely to last the entire Rains so today's lunch is special as a welcome to you and your companions."

"Adin is used to cooking fish from the sea," she said. At Hulo's look she explained, "The water in the sea is very salty but the things that live in it have ways of keeping the salt out of their bodies. Sometimes this salt can be harvested from shorelines, for example. It is a good way to preserve the fish and they can be stored a long time like that, but salted fish have to be boiled to become eatable again and they taste bland. Since coming to the Sirrel Adin has learned of herbs and spices which make his meals much more tasty and he has obviously passed on his knowledge here."

Hulo nodded. "Ah, I understand now, Mistress. I believed his knowledge came from the distant lands he and his friends came from."

Ursula snorted. "From what I have been told Einnland is almost a wasteland where very few crops can usefully be grown. Most people seem to survive on a diet of meat and fish. Even Her Highness is reluctant to eat many vegetables or anything resembling a salad."

"That explains much, Mistress. Regrettably our choices will become fewer the longer the Rains persist, all must needs eat whatever remains of our stocks."

"As you say. I believe that in winter, foodstuffs in Einnland became just as limited. It is the way of the world."

* * *

Of the three vacant dwellings, Hashim and his family had been allocated one, another was reserved for Eriana, Bennet, Semma, Matta and Vellana while the third was to be used as a company meeting place, with Toshi and Terry using the upper floor as their sleeping place. There were enough dwellings, twenty each side, that most of the others only had to accommodate one of the remaining company with their usual residents. The return of Ursula and those with her had complicated the arrangements but not severely.

After lunch the most senior members of the ship's company had gathered for a combined debriefing and planning meeting, joined by Luthan, Hulo and one of the fishermens' elders, Narath, representing their local hosts. Since this dwelling had been unoccupied there was little furniture on the middle floor except rush matting, so everyone sat on the matting in a large circle.

"Who shall begin?" Eriana asked. "There is no point myself or Ursula speaking, we were not here. In fact, I do not remember much of what happened at the Clinic so Ursula must needs explain what occurred while we were there."

They all looked at each other, then Toshi cleared his throat. "Ah, Your Highness, should I address you in that way or should I name you Director? It will make a difference how we each think of this meeting. Is this a meeting of the Visund's company or of the Navy?"

Eriana's shoulders slumped and she sighed. "Aye, you are right, Toshi. They are almost the same thing but they are not the same. Well. Ship's company first, I deem. That is how we arrived, that is how these good folk view us." She gestured at Hulo and Narath.

"As you desire, Highness. First I must tell you that, while both you and Mistress Ursula were at the Clinic, and with Admiral Lars still at Bibek, it was decided by those here that I should become the senior rank." He gave a rueful smile. "You must understand that, considering how I was treated in Pakmal and other places before I met you, I have been overwhelmed by the change in my status. However, I was once a... Prince, perhaps? ...of my own people so I have tried to make my rule as fair and as gentle as I could."

He gestured. "Of course, Lord Luthan here is the representative of those who govern this land and I am always ready to listen to his advice and concerns - which have been few so far. I will always take great note of what the local fisherfolk here advise me, we are but guests in their own houses after all.

"So. The men have all settled in, Highness. All are allocated one to each dwelling and that is deemed a small enough increase that no family will become too overburdened. All of these dwellings, even this one, have been stuffed full of supplies to feed everyone for as long as this downpour is expected to last. Lord Luthan tells me that, in the event that the Rains last longer than expected, emergency supplies may be provided from central stocks.

"To prevent the men becoming bored and stale I have attempted to devise such exercises as may be possible considering the weather. They tell me that, being folk of the ocean the same way that I was, they are accustomed to getting wet as part of their duties and make the necessary adjustments to compensate. I will add that today's accident is only the second that has happened here, the other being a twisted ankle caused by someone slipping on the wet balcony flooring."

Toishi gave a big grin, his whole face lighting up. "Highness, we were astonished when we saw the young of this place playing in the rain! They deem it great fun to run about and swing from the ropes, even dropping into the water at times. I have used their play as the basis for some of our own activities and the men have thoroughly enjoyed themselves so far."

Eriana nodded. "Good work, Toshi. I did not know what would happen when these Rains began, they are foreign to us as they must be to you, and I was concerned that my men would chafe from the lack of activity while the waters yet descended. My thanks to you for keeping them occupied so far." There was a frown. "Tell me, not all of those who are on the ship now are men from my own lands. Some are Yodans, and considering how the city was treated by those of Yod, how do those of Foti Lane view such folk? Has there been trouble?"

"Highness," Toshi replied, "before I came to Joth I knew nothing of it or what happened in the past. If I may ask Narath to tell how the fisherfolk viewed your company."

Narath shuffled and then dipped his head to Eriana. "Your Highness, if I may offer you a belated welcome to Foti Lane. Your own men are well known to us, indeed, from when your ship was here before, and we have readily welcomed them into our humble homes. We recognized that you would likely have others aboard when you returned, like Master Toshi, and we had no issue with them sheltering here as well. It was a shock to many when we discovered Yodans amongst your crew and some of us, including myself, were upset when this became known.

"However, it seems that each of them had a story to tell and we understood that not all Yodans would be like those who despoiled our city. We have accepted them, reluctantly at first, it is true, but those families who have sheltered them now understand that none who came with you had anything to do with what happened to Joth. You may be assured that no-one from your ship who now resides in Foti Lane is treated different to any other."

Eriana inclined her head. "I give you thanks, elder of the fisherfolk, for taking in my whole company. I trust we shall not cause any more disturbance to you and you folk than we must. Ah, have you any concerns that require my attention?"

Narath shook his head. "Highness, there is nothing that Lord Luthan or those here could not resolve. With Healer Ursula now returned to us there is little that may trouble us, I deem."

"Good. If I may now ask Tor for his report."

The ship's captain looked resigned. "Highness, the Visund is sunk."

"What!"

He held up a placating hand. "Highness, it is not what you think. Can I explain?"

Her reply was clipped. "Do so, Tor."

«Ah, it is easier this way. The Visund is still where we all climbed off, partly under the Dock Gate. The rain was too heavy to move it safely and it was already filling with water. It was thought easiest to leave it there, partly protected, until the rain eased and then move it.»

Eriana nodded, relaxing slightly. «Oh, I am relieved! It should be easy enough to bail out...» She saw the look on Tor's face. «What happened?»

«Then there was that storm surge and the Dock Gate was struck by a thunderbolt. Chunks of stone went everywhere, Highness. Three pieces fell on the Visund, fortunately not large pieces, but there is damage. One piece fell on the stern deck and split the timber decking but saved the hull underneath. It looks repairable.»

Eriana was intent, now. «And the other two?»

«One small stone fell on the exposed part of the awning and smashed through the canvas, but again that saved the hull underneath. There is a minor gash on the mast and we'll have to look at that when we get the ship ready to sail again. The third,» he hesitated, «that was the largest fragment. It found a gap and went through the hull. We will have to replace part or all of two planks before we are seaworthy again... Riverworthy... You know what I mean.»

The Princess looked angry but then relented. «If the Gods decide... Very well, Tor. Where is it now?"

He shrugged. «It is still there, Highness, partly under the Dock Gate, but because it is on the rollers it was thought wise to moor it in place to make sure it would not float away.»

«Float away? But it is sunk, you said!»

Another shrug. «It is made of wood, wood floats and the water level, so they tell me, will rise significantly before the Rains end.»

«Ah, of course. Thank you, Tor. Is there anything else? What about all the gear that was removed from the ship and taken to the warehouse? That was not far from the gate.»

Tor inclined his head. «The warehouse was struck by several large pieces of stone, Highness, as were a number of other buildings. Those within were forced to move some of the more delicate items to stop them being ruined by the leaks. Now that the downpour has slackened I have no doubt they will have made more permanent repairs.» He shrugged. «Lord Luthan tells me that many of the high points of the city are struck by thunderbolts whenever there is a storm, they know what to do.»

Eriana roused. «Oh, aye! Do you recall, when we were here before, the Galdarin Gate was struck while the girls and I were out riding? And at the Rifle Range, where we went, a powder store was struck causing much destruction. Storms beset us at sea, they are the curse of this whole region, I deem, yet we may not command the weather. Is there anything else we should know​?»

«Only that, considering how many of us there are now living in this lane I asked Zakaros to make a quick accounting of the foodstuffs here, Highness. Maybe he should answer that.»

She sat back. "Very well, Tor." To the others she said, "Tor described the damage to the ship and to the warehouse where the contents are stored. He also said that Zakaros made an accounting of the supplies here. Master Zakaros?"

Zakaros looked embarrassed to be at the meeting, let alone asked to speak.

"Highness, when we arrived and were assigned billets both Commander Toshi and Captain Tor were concerned about the food and other supplies. I was asked, once we had settled in, to visit every dwelling and make a simple estimate of what would be available to everyone, considering that most of your men are large, fit and have sufficient appetites, larger than perhaps the fisherfolk might have. Because of... my origins... it was necessary for Lord Luthan to accompany me to placate the residents should that be necessary.

"Highness, we did so and, though there was suspicion and some resentment towards me, we had no actual trouble making the accounting. I am impressed by the way this city, strange to my eyes, provides for its people during the Rains. In my, uh, where I came from, as District Commissioner it was my task to make a like accounting of those under me and I can find no fault with the methods used here. Here the folk lay in stocks of preserved fish but in that other place there were few fish, instead I must needs provide cured meat as well as supplies like fodder for frayen and gavakhan.

"I am satisfied that there is sufficient provision made for all of us for the weeks the Rains usually last, but of course towards the end the choices available will become limited. The only caution I would make is that there appears to be no large storage building close by where grain and flour could be kept. We have some stocks of both in the lane but they will inevitably suffer from the damp and should be used up sooner instead of keeping any for later weeks."

Luthan coughed. "Ah, Master Zakaros, there are larger stores of such items but not near the Dock Gate. They are kept in secure places where, say, any invader might not discover them and in fact they did not."

"Do you tell me? Thank you, My Lord, that relieves my mind. Highness, I have little else to add."

"Thank you, Zakaros." Eriana turned to Luthan. "My Lord, by your leave, mayhap it is time that we learned the story of you and your brother. It is important that I and my crew know how we all stand in this place."

Luthan's twisted grin was accompanied by an ironic chuckle. "Highness, I doubt not you will find that you and your folk are in greater favor in the city than either myself or Mathenar. I do not know what Mathenar did but I can tell you my own story." He sat back and visibly relaxed. "You may have heard it said that I am quick to start an argument and that is true enough. I took a detachment of our armies to Yod and, I believe, we did there what duty was required of us. Regrettably it seemed to me that others were not doing their own part and thus certain disagreements began.

"Unfortunately, some of those disagreements were with the Marshal who commanded the armies of Joth and eventually he determined that he would prefer a quieter existence. Attempting to move me to another post provoked more, um, spirited discussions and it was decided that I would better serve Joth by returning to the city.

"I must needs apologize again for what I did to Guardswoman Bennet, Highness. As a man in an army of men my standards became as those of my men, low enough but not to the extremes I have observed in other commands. I did not know what she was and no-one had explained what she could or would do, regardless of my rank."

His gaze dropped to the table-top. "I thoroughly deserved what she did to me and I was also shocked by the manner in which Mistress Ursula spoke to me. Only then did I understand that customs and practices which I thought normal did not obtain in other lands and I can only plead ignorance. It has made me reconsider my own attitude to the women who I find around myself and I have resolved to treat them more sensibly.

"Since I have returned to Joth I have tried, and mostly succeeded, to avoid arguments which would worsen the way I am seen by those in the city. I have noticed, however, that I am still susceptible to creating trouble and it seemed to me that, should Mathenar not become Duke after my father, I must needs take his place and I believe that my rule would be a poor one. Just before the Rains began I informed my father that I did not want to be considered in the line of succession and he has reluctantly agreed.

"What I did not know then was that he had already had word of some behavior of Mathenar which went beyond, he believed, the limits of what was acceptable. Following my own talk with my father he called us both into his office after the evening meal and made it plain that neither of us was going to become Duke after him."

Eriana asked, "My Lord, if it is not you nor your brother, who shall inherit Joth?"

"Countess Tiedra of Thorn is Father's sister and therefore my aunt. One of her two sons, my cousins, will therefore become Duke of Joth when Father goes to his pyre in time. If Father should die suddenly then my aunt would become Regent for some five years until Tendian becomes of age. If he should suffer a fatal accident, say, then his younger brother Novesan would become Duke instead."

"What becomes of you and your brother now? Do you retain your ranks and status?"

"Aye, Highness, we do. Mathenar has been made full Count of Galdarin with any issue of his to succeed him in time." Luthan hesitated. "My own circumstance is somewhat different. Though I am accounted Count of Hulmar, in practice it is held and ruled by Baron Jeronar as my steward. Because of my temper I believe that I would not be a proper person to govern anywhere and so I have voluntarily given up my rights to that city. Instead Father has, for now, given me the task of arranging for your own arrival, Highness, and the provision of shelter and provender for you and your crew for the duration of the Rains, and to be at your service until you depart again. Then, once these Rains have ended and the Sirrel subsides, I intend to depart Joth and make my way to Palarand."

"Palarand! My Lord, what do you hope to find there?"

"Peace, Highness. In Palarand, I have learned, from several in Joth whom you have all spoken with, that there are ways of calming the mind and making better use of one's personal abilities. I saw that myself when you were at the Mansion before, Highness. I have already started learning the Tai Chi, though probably imperfectly, and would ask to learn more from yourself and your crew."

"Ah," Eriana said meditatively. "Of course, myself and my men learned at the knee of Princess Garia, who taught us all a great deal. I do not know much about you, My Lord, except that day when we rode out and met those great flying beasts, but whatever your condition I doubt not that there are answers waiting for you in Palarand. Ah, did you intend to travel there with us?"

Luthan blinked. "Highness, my thoughts did not reach so far." He smiled. "After all, we have at least six more weeks of rain and then the waters must needs quieten before anyone may travel anywhere. Would you take me if I were to ask?"

Eriana glanced at Tor who returned a slight head shake. He said, "My Lord, we are already overloaded with passengers, many of a delicate kind. It was something that I was considering asking Her Highness about."

He switched languages to ask her, «Should we be considering obtaining another barge to offload some of our cargo, Highness? Hashim could captain it and that would mean he could take his family with him, maybe some of the others. We could move some of the other cargo as well, especially what was on the skate.»

Her eyebrows went up. «Another barge?» She nodded. «I guess it is inevitable. We already have that other one, the...» Eriana frowned as she tried to remember the name, shaking her head with frustration. «My apologies, Tor, I have forgotten the name. Yah, as Lord Luthan has said, there are many weeks before we can sensibly ask that question. But I will certainly consider doing so once the rain stops.»

Tor said, «It is the Green Ptuvil, Highness. Baros commands it with his family aboard, bringing Admiral Lars and some of our other volunteers.» He paused, then added, «Uh, if it proves impossible to repair the Visund, Highness, or if the repairs should take a long time, then we might require two or even three barges, assuming you would want to travel on to Palarand as soon as possible.»

«Three barges? Gods, I would have a whole fleet of them, and none usable for the Navy!» She rubbed her forehead. «It is not important now, Tor, but you are right to warn me of the possible need. Tell me again when we are nearer the time for leaving.»

"Yah, Highness."

Eriana turned to Luthan. "The Visund is overloaded, My Lord, and also damaged as Tor has just told us. To travel on in safety and comfort he suggests that we obtain another barge, possibly two, to take some of our cargo and also crew who are less familiar with life aboard a ship like mine."

Luthan was confused. "A barge to carry cargo I can understand, Highness, but surely there would be little room for passengers."

She smiled. "We already have such a barge, My Lord, acquired... Hum. You must needs hear that tale but not now, I deem. If I may just add that it has been converted to carry passengers, mainly myself and the other women of our company, with accommodation for us and a few of our men made within the holds. But the, uh, Green Ptuvil has no room for traditional cargo at all."

"I... see. If I may ask, where is it now? Surely it must have taken shelter in some port along the river. Do you know where?"

"It remains in Bibek, My Lord. My second-in-command, Admiral Lars, is injured and could not travel comfortably in the Visund. The barge's captain is Baros, a man of Bibek, and he will bring the Green Ptuvil downstream to join us when the river relents. He has a family and Lars now has a wife and they will travel more comfortably that way."

Luthan nodded. "Ah, I understand now, Highness." His nose wrinkled. "I did not know that your affairs had become so complicated!"

"My Lord, you do not yet know one tenth of what we did when we sailed away from Joth. That telling will take many sessions, I deem, and you will only believe half of what we tell you."

"Highness, I look forward to that telling."